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Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future
The Ingenious Ideas That Drive Today's Computers
Series: Princeton Science Library
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Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers with an interest in computing and technology, including students, professionals, and anyone keen to understand the algorithms shaping our digital world. No advanced technical background is required, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Every day, we use our computers to perform remarkable feats. A simple web search picks out a handful of relevant needles from the world's biggest haystack. Uploading a photo to Facebook transmits millions of pieces of information over numerous error-prone network links, yet somehow a perfect copy of the photo arrives intact.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Every day, we use our computers to perform remarkable feats. A simple web search picks out a handful of relevant needles from the world's biggest haystack. Uploading a photo to Facebook transmits millions of pieces of information over numerous error-prone network links, yet somehow a perfect copy of the photo arrives intact.
Without even knowing it, we use public-key cryptography to transmit secret information like credit card numbers, and we use digital signatures to verify the identity of the websites we visit. How do our computers perform these tasks with such ease?
John MacCormick answers this question in language anyone can understand, using vivid examples to explain the fundamental tricks behind nine computer algorithms that power our PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
A great way to find out what computer science is really about... MacCormick provides a taste of why we computer scientists get so excited about algorithms. - Paul Curzon, Science
Excellent... This is an unusually well-written text suitable for anyone with an interest in how today's information systems really work. - John Gilbey, Times Higher Education
MacCormick leaves the reader with a sense of the engine that powers the networked world. - Kevin Slavin, New Scientist
There's likely no better account of the software that underpins everything from Amazon to Facebook. - Brett Szmajda, Cosmos
Series: Princeton Science Library
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Praised for its clarity and engaging style, this book is described as an excellent and fun introduction to the mathematical and algorithmic ideas that underpin modern technology. Reviewers highlight MacCormick's skillful use of analogies and gradual explanations that build understanding, making it suitable for those curious about computer science. Notable endorsements come from Science, Math Less Traveled, and Times Higher Education.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691209067
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 15 September 2020
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Illustration: 103 b/w illus. 1 table.
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 232
About the Author
John MacCormick is associate professor of computer science at Dickinson College and a leading teacher, researcher, and writer in his field. His books include What Can Be Computed? A Practical Guide to the Theory of Computation (Princeton).
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